Woman jumps from moving car to escape kidnapping

FREETOWN — A Fall River man was arrested Wednesday night, charged with kidnapping his estranged wife earlier in the day, police said.

BRIAN FRAGA

FREETOWN — A Fall River man was arrested Wednesday night, charged with kidnapping his estranged wife earlier in the day, police said.

Fall River police arrested Peter D. Duval, 38, at about 8 p.m. in a parking lot on Pleasant Street, according to Lt. Mike Pleiss. Police were tipped off by an anonymous caller about Mr. Duval's location.

Mr. Duval, of 22J Rolling Green Drive in Fall River, allegedly confronted his wife of 20 days at her home early Wednesday and forced her into his car, according to statements the victim made to Fall River police and state police.

He ordered her to drive and assaulted her, police said.

While driving, the woman said, she made her way to the vehicle's back seat and fought back against Mr. Duval. She said the vehicle slowed enough during the fight to allow her to jump from the car.

Freetown police Lt. Walter Sawicki said police received a report at 6:18 a.m. of the woman jumping from the moving car on North Main Street near the Route 24 intersection. A passing motorist saw the woman and assisted her.

The woman was taken to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River to be treated for minor injuries. She has since been released, according to Lt. Pleiss.

The woman said Mr. Duval threatened her and her 14-year-old daughter. Fall River police went to the victim's home, where they found her daughter unharmed. The girl was subsequently relocated.

A notice was put out on the police scanner Wednesday morning that Mr. Duval was last seen driving north on Route 24 from Assonet, and both the Fall River and the Freetown police conducted a search for Mr. Duval.

The notice also instructed police to be aware that Mr. Duval has had previous access to a 9 mm handgun. However, there was no indication that Mr. Duval was armed during Wednesday's incident.

Mr. Duval is charged with kidnapping, assault with intent to murder, assault and battery and assault. He is expected to be arraigned today, Lt. Pleiss said.